NCAA coaching news: East Carolina head coach Heather Macy abruptly resigns

Head coach Heather Macy, East Carolina, on the sideline during the Temple Vs East Carolina Quarterfinal Basketball game during the American Women's College Basketball Championships 2015 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. 7th March 2015. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Head coach Heather Macy, East Carolina, on the sideline during the Temple Vs East Carolina Quarterfinal Basketball game during the American Women's College Basketball Championships 2015 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. 7th March 2015. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

An abrupt change for the Pirates.

East Carolina head women’s basketball coach Heather Macy resigned on Wednesday, just 20 days before the Pirates’ season opener. The school announced her resignation in a press release and said that she will be reassigned elsewhere in the athletic department until her contract expires in December.

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According to the release, Macy resigned after an internal investigation from the athletic department’s compliance office. Macy shed some light on the abrupt decision with a brief statement in the release:

"“I regret that my misunderstanding about practice rules has led to this end, but I have chosen to resign in order to save the University and the team from any unnecessary distractions,” Macy said."

Macy was the winningest head coach in program history with 134 career victories. She leaves behind a team not expected to contend near the top of the American Athletic Conference, but one that should be improved from last year. The Pirates return a talented backcourt and bring in some intriguing freshmen and JuCo transfers.

Assistant coach Chad Killinger will serve as interim head coach this season. ECU opens at home against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Nov. 6.

In the preseason voting this week, the AAC coaches selected East Carolina to finish eighth. ECU did not place any players on the all-conference first or second teams.